Brookfield Office Properties Inc USA (BPO), Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (JLL): A Landlord to Bet On As Commercial Properties Improve

In addition to its partnership with Brookfield, Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (NYSE:JLL) recently got a new appointment as leasing agent for LakePointe Office Park’s seven office buildings in Charlotte, NC. These recent contracts should help Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (NYSE:JLL) further improve its performance. During the 2012 fourth quarter, the company reported $117.1 million adjusted earnings, up from the $113.6 million of a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share amounted to $2.60, up from $2.56, but a penny short of the $2.61 market expectations.

Brookfield wins downtown LA

Brookfield appears to have edged its major competitor, MPG Office Trust (NYSE:MPG) , in Los Angeles where the former has 5.7 million square feet, 88% of which are occupied as of last year. MPG was reported to be selling its 72-story US Bank Tower in LA to Overseas Union Enterprise Ltd., a Singapore developer which is shelling out some $367 million for the deal. MPG, said to be struggling with debt, will reportedly use part of the sales proceeds for its loan obligations.

The MPG building, the tallest in California, was estimated to have a 60% occupancy rate, and Overseas Union may have to do extensive remodeling. One real estate analyst said its cylindrical structure doesn’t make for an efficient office layout.

In contrast to MPG’s Los Angeles retreat, Brookfield last year successfully renovated a downtown LA shopping mall for $40 million. This Fig@7th development, which was awarded the Downtowners of Distinction for the financial district, has the popular retailer City Target as its anchor tenant.

More launching pads

Moving forward this 2013, Brookfield Office Properties Inc USA (NYSE:BPO) has set up launching pads outside the U.S. to further bolster its value to shareholders. The company’s Brookfield Place flagship in Perth, which opened in summer 2012, is now 100% leased. The second tower of the company, Bay Adelaide Centre in Toronto, is currently still under development and is already 60% pre-leased, three years prior to completion.

This, included with the gains Brookfield has achieved, should make the company one sound landlord to invest in with the steadily rising fortunes of the commercial properties market.

The article A Landlord to Bet On As Commercial Properties Improve originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Arturo Cuevas.

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